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§ Private Profile · 2720 Taylor St #320 San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Develops 3D mapping technology using AI to convert sensor data into maps for autonomous vehicles, enabling real-time localization.
Based in San Francisco, California, Civil Maps develops 3D mapping technology that utilizes artificial intelligence and vehicle-based processing to convert sensor data into navigational maps for autonomous vehicles. The company's software enables vehicles to crowdsource spatial data, achieve real-time 6D localization, and generate augmented reality environments for safer automated driving systems. Prior to its acquisition, the enterprise operated with approximately 25 employees, generated roughly seven million dollars in annual revenue, and secured just over nine million dollars in total venture funding. Founded between 2013 and 2015, the mapping startup was acquired in the second quarter of 2022 by automotive sensor manufacturer Luminar Technologies, led by chief executive officer Austin Russell. This acquisition was officially announced at the CES technology trade show in January 2023, coinciding with Luminar signing its first commercial mapping customer to improve perception software.
Civil Maps has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round.
Civil Maps has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Civil Maps develops high-definition (HD) mapping and localization technology for autonomous vehicles, using AI and vehicle sensors to crowdsource 3D maps with 15-20 cm absolute accuracy and 1-5 cm relative accuracy at city scale.[1][4][5] It serves autonomous vehicle developers, OEMs, and robotics firms by solving precise navigation and decision-making challenges in dense urban environments, enabling safer self-driving through real-time six-dimensional localization and augmented reality maps.[1][2][3][4] Originally independent with $6.85M-$9.2M in funding, Civil Maps was acquired by Luminar Technologies in January 2023, boosting its growth amid rising demand for HD maps tied to the expanding AV market.[1][2][5]
Civil Maps was founded around 2013-2015 by Anuj Gupta, with early backing from partnerships like the U.S. Department of Energy, Verizon Innovation Program, UC Berkeley, and Stanford.[2][3][5][6] The idea emerged from recognizing the need for scalable, crowd-sourced 3D mapping to overcome limitations in traditional GPS and static maps for fully autonomous vehicles, leveraging AI for on-vehicle processing of sensor data into actionable maps.[1][2][5] Pivotal early traction included deploying HD mapping in cities like San Francisco, Berlin, and Tokyo, and migrating its cognition stack to Arm processors for enhanced scalability, solidifying its role before the 2023 Luminar acquisition.[4][5][7]
Civil Maps rides the autonomous vehicle trend, where HD maps are essential for Level 4/5 autonomy amid market growth projected from investments like Audi's $16B in self-driving tech.[2] Timing aligns with LiDAR advancements from parent Luminar and rising AV adoption, as sensor fusion and edge AI address scalability hurdles in geospatial infrastructure.[1][2][7] It influences the ecosystem by enabling safer navigation for OEMs and startups, partnering with academic and government entities to advance location intelligence in architecture, engineering, and mobility.[1][3]
Post-acquisition, Civil Maps will likely integrate deeper into Luminar's LiDAR ecosystem, accelerating HD map deployment for production AVs and expanding to robotics.[1][2] Trends like Arm-based SoCs and real-time crowd-sourcing will drive reliability at scale, positioning it to capture share in a market fueled by regulatory pushes for safe autonomy.[4][7] Its influence may evolve from innovator to standard-setter, enhancing Luminar's edge in the race toward ubiquitous self-driving. This builds on its core mission: revolutionizing mobility through cognition-powered maps.[1][3]
Civil Maps has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $7.0M Seed in July 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2016 | $7M Seed | Motus Ventures | BMW I Ventures, Bonfire Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity, Eniac Ventures, FJ Labs, Mouro Capital, Forest Baskett, Qualcomm Ventures, RED Swan Ventures, Scrum Ventures, Sean Bill, Jerry Yang, Ford Motor Company, Stanford, Wicklow Capital | Announced |
Civil Maps has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Civil Maps's investors include Motus Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Bonfire Ventures, Ecosystem Integrity, ENIAC Ventures, FJ Labs, Mouro Capital, Forest Baskett, Qualcomm Ventures, Red Swan Ventures, Scrum Ventures, Sean Bill.